Christmas In July 2019-Part 78-Leftovers

OK, this is the end.  This is everything else that was recorded for Christmas in July 2019 but not shared out already.  There are a few unique tracks, some stereo versions of things I shared in mono earlier, some mono versions of things I shared in stereo, and a few songs that had some skips in them I couldn't fix.  Nothing here is too essential, but if you want a complete record of the month, this is the last piece of the puzzle.

1. & 2. Gloria Tibi Domine by Madison Junior Choir-Mr. David Alan Ayers, Director and Let There Be Peace On Earth by Madison Combined Junior & Senior Choir-Mr. David Alan Ayers, Director, both from The Joy Of Christmas And Greats From America Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow (Mark Custom Records MC 2868 (on Sleeve) UMC 2868 (on Label), Stereo).  Nothing at all wrong with these tracks, I was just unable to squeeze them into the rest of the month.

3. Ray Middleton-Choir & Music Under Direction Of Howard Barlow-Advent from Ten Catholic Holy Days (Candle Records CAN-110, Mono, 1957).  Another of those great awkward explanatory tracks, this one for Advent, so I wasn't sure where or when to share it out and kept putting it off until it was too late.

4. & 5. Roberta Sherwood With The Malcolm Dodds Singers And Orchestra-Children, Go Where I Send Thee & Go Tell It On The Mountain, both from Gone Gospel (aka Gospel Goes Pop) (ABC Paramount ABC-464, Mono, 1963).  Mono versions of a couple tracks I found in Stereo the next day after recording them.  I doubt if they're in any way different from the stereo versions, so they are superfluous.

6. & 7. Esquivel And His Orchestra-Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers & Sun Valley Ski Run from Strings Aflame (RCA Victor LSP-1988, Stereo, 1959).  These stereo tracks, which I found after sharing out and lamenting the mono versions, are pretty essential.  Esquivel was known for his use of spacious stereo effects, and these are good examples of that.  The tracks really open up in two channels.

8. Ed Begley-The Winter Of The Blue Snow from Paul Bunyan In Story And Song (Caedmon TC 1275, Stereo, 1969). I successfully got another track off of this record, but this track was too rough to salvage properly.  You might still enjoy it as the skips are slight.  Just depends on how close you are paying attention while listening.

9. & 10. The Choir Of Christ Episcopal Church-Dark The Night & As It Fell from 75 Men And Boys (No Label 2xLP BL 1500 (Side 4-Christmas Carol Service) (Bloomfield, Glen Ridge), Mono). The last two tracks from this side of Christmas music.  Both tracks had some serious needle digs from which I just couldn't recover. Pretty bad, too.  I'm just throwing them up here for you hard-core types.  Maybe someday I'll find a clean copy of this one, but I doubt it.

And that's it.  The folder is empty of unused tracks now.  Here's the download for the last set. A few statistics for the record books.  This is by far my most prolific version of Christmas in July with 821 total tracks (including Thanksgiving & Chanukah).  That breaks down to having pulled tracks from 445 different albums, and roughly 400 different artists.  It's a little surprising to me that so many albums had more than one Christmas song, but that seems to be the case. And plenty of albums had a whole side worth, so that really skews those numbers.

It's been a fun season.  Big props to everyone who stopped by and downloaded something.  And double thanks to anyone who took the time to leave a comment!  I get on a plane and head to NYC, then Italy and Switzerland next week, so I'll be far far away from the blog for a while. When I get back, it's time to start recording some Christmas music proper.  See you at Christmas time!

Thanksgiving In June (In August) 2019-Part 3

Over the course of the past month, I've turned up and recorded a few more Thanksgiving songs to add to the 24 I gave you back at the end of June before I jumped into Christmas In July.  These additional 6 songs will bring that total up to 30, so I'm back up to my ten songs per share average. I'm anal that way.

1. Mouseketeer Ensemble-How Lucky We Are from Happy Birthday And Songs For Every Holiday (Disneyland DQ-1214, Mono, 1964).  If I didn't tell you this was the Thanksgiving selection from this LP, you probably wouldn't peg it as a Thanksgiving tune.  Certainly patriotic though.

2. Bing Crosby With Bob Crosby And His Orchestra-I've Got Plenty To Be Thankful For from Holiday Inn-Bing's Hollywood (Decca DL 4256, Mono, 1962).  It's called Holiday Inn, so they've got to celebrate all sorts of holidays, not just Christmas.

3. George Feyer, Piano And Harpsichord, With Rhythm Accompaniment-Turkey In The Straw from Echoes Of Childhood-For Children Six To Sixty-Six (Vox 10" 33 RPM VX 710, Mono, 1964).  A tiny snippet of a side-long medley from keyboard king George Feyer.

4. Paradesters Orchestra And Chorus-Overture; The Big Clown Balloons; Parade from Meredith Willson's Here's Love (Columbia Masterworks KOS 2400, Stereo, 1963).  Someday I hope to make it to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in person.  Not sure how I can do that without fighting the crowds and the cold, but I'll find a way.

5. & 6. Sing & Learn-Thanksgiving Song & The Turkey Stroll, both from Holiday Songs (Macmillan Educational Company MBCI-09003, Stereo, 1987).  Not sure how Thanksgiving scored two tracks on this holiday album.  I think it was the only day that was celebrated twice.

And that's it, a short selection, but it helps me empty out my folder.  Here's the download link.  Not much left in that folder now, by the way, but there is a bit.  Stay tuned...

Chanukah In August 2019-Part 1

Good morning!  After a great Thanksgiving in June and an even greater Christmas in July, it's my pleasure to present you with this less than stellar Chanukah in August.  It's a full ten tracks, but there are two albums represented twice, so it breaks a few of the rules I tried to follow the rest of the year.  I suppose I could have broken it up into two days, but I'm lazy and running out of time, so it's all here at once.  Still an interesting collection, let's see what you get.

1. Ray Middleton-Choir & Music Under Direction Of Howard Barlow-Chanukah from Ten Jewish Holy Days (Candle Records CAN-112, Mono, 1957). Another interesting contribution from Mr. Middleton.  Same, err, interesting style as his other contributions this season.

2. Pete Seeger And Banjo-Chanukah, Oh, Chanukah from With Voices Together We Sing (Folkways FA2452, Mono, 1956).  I can almost always count of finding some Chanukah track from Pete Seeger each and every year.

3. Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver, Narration-Rabbi Nelson Glueck, Prayer, Soloists & Chorus Of The Hebrew Union School Of Sacred Music, Conducted By Isadore Freed And David Conviser, Eve Queler At The Organ-Hannukah-Feast Of Lights (Psalm 20; Hanukkah Blessing; Maoz Tzur; Hanukkah O Hanakkah (SIC); Mi Yamalel) from Great Days We Honor-Yom Kippur & Hannukah-In Song And Prayer (The Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute Of Religion 10" 33 RPM FO-7L-0318/0319 (Programs are part of the RCA Thesaurus.), Mono, 1955).  The big track of the day.  It seems to be something that was produced as a radio show. Good stuff.

4. Redlands High School Concert Choir-Director, Wilbur H. Schowalter-Hanukah Song (Jewish Folk Song) from Redlands High School Concert Choir 1964-65 (Handel Record Mfg. H-2008 (on Sleeve) H-2009 (on Label) Blue Vinyl, Mono, 1965). Nice of one of our regulars this season to provide us with some Chanukah content.

5. & 6. John Klein At The Console Of The "Carillon Americana" The World's Greatest Carillon-Hanukkah Song & Who Can Retell? from Around The World On A Carillon (Columbia Adventures In Sound WL 135, Mono, 1959).  I think I've shared one of these tracks before, but I must have missed the other one somehow.

7. Lynn Roberts, Carmen Baron & Juda Campbell-Hanukkah-Festival Of Lights from Holiday Songs For All Occasions (Kimbo Educational KIM 0805, Stereo, 1978).  Something for the kiddies at Chanukah.  Shouldn't there be eight songs?

8. & 9. Hap Palmer-Hanukkah-Vocal & Instrumental from Holiday Songs And Rhythms (Activity Records AR-538, Stereo, 1980).  OK, that's two more songs for the kiddies, still need five so that we've got all the nights covered.

10. Sing & Learn-Spin Dreidel Spin from Holiday Songs (Macmillan Educational Company MBCI-09003, Stereo, 1987).  That's four, but now I'm out of Chanukah Songs.

And since I'm out of songs, I'll give you the download link.  Thanks for stopping by.  If this isn't enough Chanukah music for you, I think you can still visit one of my Christmastime posts covering the eight days of Chanukah last year and find a single download with all my old Chanukah In August shares.  It's pretty epic, as they say. And all the other Chanukah time shares from last year are still good as well. Enjoy!

Christmas In July 2019-Part 77

Just kidding, that wasn't the end!  I've got enough New Year's & Epiphany songs for a whole other post, and that's what you're reading now.  So here are eleven more songs from the end of the season.

1. Miniature Boxes-Carnival Of Venice; Phil The Fluter's Ball; Musetta's Waltz (From "La Boheme"); Happy Birthday; Tales From The Vienna Woods; She Was Poor But She Was Honest; The Blue Danube; Trompeter Von Sackingen; Swiss Yodels; Auld Lang Syne from Music Boxes And Chiming Clocks From The Alec Templeton Collection (RCA Victor LPM-1867, Mono, 1958).  This may be the biggest lie I've given you all season.  Is Auld Lang Syne even in this medley?  I think they just play Happy Birthday a second time.  Sorry.

2. Trapp Family Singers-Dr. Franz Wasner, Conductor-Every Year Brings Something New from Sad Am I Without Thee (Decca Gold Label DL 9759, Mono, 1955).  Maybe not a strict New Year's song, but I thought it appropriate. And it has 'year' in the title.

3. Marisha Data-Happy New Year from More Of Aggie's Telephone Gems (Chet Shafer Productions/Chicago Polkas CLP-9200, Mono).  Some more New Year's humor for you. Maybe.

4. Jerry Bock With Nancy, Debbie, Cathy, Ginnie, Robert, Gary, Seth, David And George-Happy Old Year from New Songs We Sing In School (Golden Record LP-97, Mono, 1962). There aren't enough songs about the old year.

5. James Dukas-Introduction-New Year's Day from Holidays Holidays (Golden Records LP 250, Mono).  The introduction to a track I shared from this album earlier tonight.

6. Goodfellows Male Chorus (aka RCA Victor Male Chorus)-Medley: Hail! Hail! The Gang's All Here; For He's A Jolly Good Fellow; Good Night Ladies; Merrily We Roll Along; Auld Lang Syne from Hail! Hail! The Gang's All Here (RCA Camden CAL-134, Mono).  Another medley, this one I think is from an ancient 78 that was collected on this LP.

7. Opryland Singers-Vocal Arrangements & Direction By George Mabry & Opryland Orchestra-Arranged & Directed By John Duke-Auld Lang Syne from I Hear America Singing (Opryland Records OR-1001, Stereo, 1973).  A tiny piece out of a huge side-long medley.

8. & 9. Guy Lombardo And His Royal Canadians-Auld Lang Syne from Every Night Is New Year's Eve With Guy Lombardo And His Royal Canadians-Live At The Waldorf Astoria (London Phase 4 XPS 904, Stereo, 1973).  Two different reprises of Lombardo's best know song.

10. Ray Middleton-Choir & Music Under Direction Of Howard Barlow-New Year's Eve And Day from Ten Protestant Holy Days (Candle Records CAN-111, Mono, 1957).  The first of two tracks from the same album.  Sorry, I didn't plan that out very well.

11. Ray Middleton-Choir & Music Under Direction Of Howard Barlow-Epiphany from Ten Protestant Holy Days (Candle Records CAN-111, Mono, 1957).  We end with a second track from this LP and our last Epiphany share.  Don't forget there was an Epiphany track on his Catholic album, but it's different from this one, same way both had a Christmas version.

OK, that's really it for the season.  A new season starts tomorrow, so come back for that.  In the meantime, here's the download link for this list.  Thanks for comin' round.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 76

OK, as I've done for a long time now, I try to save up all my New Year's Eve songs until the last day of the month, and this year is no different. Well, except that I've screwed up and shared a few New Year's songs with you already this year, and I've got a couple of Epiphany songs to share.  So let's see what's in the list.

1. Unknown Artist-Auld Lang Syne from Holidays Holidays (Golden Records LP 250, Mono).  As usual, it's the single most common New Year's song I find each year, and this one is pretty generic.  But it's a start.

2. Mouseketeer Ensemble-Happy New Year from Happy Birthday And Songs For Every Holiday (Disneyland DQ-1214, Mono, 1964).  Not sure how many real Mouseketeers are present on this recording, but aren't we all Mouseketeers at heart?

3. Bing Crosby With Bob Crosby And His Orchestra-Let's Start The New Year Right from Holiday Inn-Bing's Hollywood (Decca DL 4256, Mono, 1962).  More great music from a classic movie.

4. Mel Tormé With The Page Cavanaugh Trio-What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? from Gone With The Wind (Musicraft Vintage Series MVS-2005, Originally recorded 1947, Mono, 1985).  One of my favorite finds this year, and I'm sure you'll dig it intently.

5. Guy Lombardo And His Royal Canadians-Countdown To The New Year; Auld Lang Syne from Every Night Is New Year's Eve With Guy Lombardo And His Royal Canadians-Live At The Waldorf Astoria (London Phase 4 XPS 904, Stereo, 1973).  You can't celebrate New Year's without Guy Lombardo, and here he is from a live recording in 1973.

6. Frank "88" Malone-He's A Jolly Good Fellow; Auld Lang Syne from Hail, Hail, The Gang's All Here! (Somerset SF-22700, Stereo, 1965).  Budget label medley.

7. Bob Hope-New Years from Holidays (Spear/Bell 4700, Stereo, 1973).  Maybe you want some comedy while you're staying up until midnight.

8. The Belafonte Folk Singers-Robert Corman, Conductor-To The Year That's Away (Scottish) from Cheers-Drinking Songs Around The World (RCA Victor LSP-1992, Stereo, 1959).  Some good stuff that's not very well known.

9. Ray Middleton-Choir & Music Under Direction Of Howard Barlow-Epiphany from Ten Catholic Holy Days (Candle Records CAN-110, Mono, 1957).  I'm sure you know better than I, but Epiphany is the Twelfth day of Christmas, and comes on the 6th day of January.  It's not widely celebrated, but I'm looking for anything I can find to share.

10. Unknown Artist-Epiphany from Choral Celebration Vol. V (Jenson Publications JP-4000, Stereo, 1983).  Who knew that the demo recordings would last all the way out to Little Christmas?

And that's all for now.  Hope you've had a great season!  Here's the download link.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 75

Hello, and welcome to the 31st day of July.  Yes, we've made it to the end of the month.  Only a few goodies left in the stack now, but I've still got morning and evening shares for you.  So here are the first ten for the day.

1. FS-Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas from The Victors (Colpix CP 516, Mono, 1963). You'll know who it is just as soon as you hear him start to sing.  Not sure how this ended up on the soundtrack to a random WW2 movie, or who the orchestra behind him is.

2. Regina Music Box-Star Of The East (A Lost Christmas Tune In America) from The Charm Of The Old Music Box-Rare Old Music Boxes From The A. Hacker Collection (Yesterday's Amusements/Premier Film & Recording Corporation 13993, Mon).  Not sure why they labelled this song as lost, you can find it right here at Ernie (Not Bert).

3. The Combined Choirs Of St. Mary's Visitation Church, Dickson City, Pa.-Trumfy Króla Niebieskiego-Triumph Of The Heavenly King from Midnight Mass At St. Mary's (Dub Recording Company D.D. 1155/1156, Mono, 1965).  This is probably the last of the Polish Christmas music I have for you this season.  Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

4. Madison Senior Choir-Mr. David Alan Ayers, Director-Angels We Have Heard On High from The Joy Of Christmas And Greats From America Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow (Mark Custom Records MC 2868 (on Sleeve) UMC 2868 (on Label), Stereo). Looks like I didn't find this record and it's brother until too late in the season because...

5. Madison Senior Choir-Mr. David Alan Ayers, Director-Accompanists, Katherine Sutch, Janis Black-O Come, O Come Emmanuel from The Joys Of Christmas And The Sounds Of Today (United Sound USR-4976, Stereo).  Here's another song from the other record by this same group.  Hate to double up on you like this, but I'm running out of stuff and don't have time tonight to dig out and record one more song.

6. Unknown Artist-Great Is Our Joy from Hal Leonard Presents Choral Spectrum 1990-Senior Edition (Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation 2xLP HLP-60, Stereo, 1990).  Finally, I think we've come to the end of the demo recordings.  Every time I find one of these songs I like, it fades out and I get frustrated. I'm sure it was the same way for many of you.

7. Sing & Learn-Santa's Coming from Holiday Songs (Macmillan  Educational Company MBCI-09003, Stereo, 1987).  One of four songs I pulled from this album, the very last thing I recorded for sharing this year.

8. Duke Ellington, His Piano And His Orchestra-Satan Takes A Holiday from Dance To Duke! His Piano And Orchestra At The Bal Masque (Columbia Special Products CSRP 8098, Stereo, 1959).  Any old excuse to get some Duke in here.

9. Chancel Choir-William Payn, Conductor-Shepherds' Carol from O, Clap Your Hands (Dharma GFL 1057 (Morristown, New Jersey), Stereo).  I'd hoped to have some Lutherans here at the end, but all I've got left are some Presbyterians.

10. Redlands High School Concert Choir And Chamber Singers-Wilbur H. Schowalter, Director-Sing Praises from 1972-1973 Redlands High School Concert Choir And Chamber Singers (Custom Fidelity CFS-3256, Stereo, 1973).  Another group we saw an awful lot of this season thanks to nearly two full sides of music I pulled from their albums.  All good stuff.

And that's it for this morning.  Come back this evening and celebrate the end of the season in style!  Here's the download link.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 74

Welcome back, time for ten more Christmas tracks!

1. Regina Music Box-O, Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fidelis) from The Charm Of The Old Music Box-Rare Old Music Boxes From The A. Hacker Collection (Yesterday's Amusements/Premier Film & Recording Corporation 13993, Mono).  More music boxes for you!

2. Bells Of Grace-Robert L. Neumann, Director-Mrs. Fred Wilson, Organist-Brightly Shone The Star from Bells Of Grace (Lane Recording 25779/25780, Stereo, 1969).  More handbells for you!

3.  Charles Chilton And The Members Of The Cast-Christmas Day In The Cookhouse from Oh What A Lovely War (London OS 25906, Stereo, 1963).  More soundtrack for you!

4. Conducted By Michael Sweeney-Hark! The Herald Angels Sing from Hal Leonard Concert Band 1989-1990 (Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation 2xLP 85060087, Stereo, 1989).  More demo music for you!

5. First United Methodist Church Concert Handbell Choir-James A Kruse, Director-Jingle Bells from 1972 Festival Program (Mark MC-5019, Stereo, 1972).  Two handbell songs in one share?  What was I thinking?

6. Madison Senior Choir-Mr. David Alan Ayers, Director-Accompanists, Katherine Sutch, Janis Black-Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming from The Joys Of Christmas And The Sounds Of Today (United Sound USR-4976, Stereo).  More high school singers for you!

7. Moe Koffman And The Sy Oliver Orchestra-Shepherd's Cha-Cha from Cha-Cha Jubilee (Jubilee SDJLP 1097, Stereo, 1959). More cha cha cha for you!

8. The Porter Twin Disc Music Box-Skater's Waltz from Music Box Waltzes And Popular Tunes (Porter 102, Stereo, 1982). Two music box songs in one share? What was I thinking?

9. Mojo Nixon-Son Of Santa from Get Out Of My Way! (Promo Edition) (Restless/Enigma Promo 12" RPRO-001 (Generic sleeve, Skid Roper is not mentioned on record label anywhere), Stereo, 1986).  More Mojo for you!

10. Andre Kostelanetz-Waltz Finale From "The Nutcracker" from Kostelanetz Conducts Romantic Waltzes By Tchaikovsky (Columbia Masterworks MS 6824, Stereo, 1965. More Andre for you!

Today is just more of everything!  Here's the download link, enjoy!

Christmas In July 2019-Part 73

Hello, and welcome to day 30 of Christmas in July.  It's getting close to the end, so if you haven't heard anything you like yet, you may be out of luck.  But here are ten more for you, so keep trying.

1. George Maharis-Conducted By Joe Sherman-The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) from New Route (Epic LN 24191 Radio Station Copy, Mono, 1966).  A great Christmas song from the star of Route 66. Still hunting for a stereo copy, but this will do for now.

2. Ray Middleton-Choir & Music Under Direction Of Howard Barlow-The Glories Of Mary from Ten Catholic Holy Days (Candle Records CAN-110, Mono, 1957).  Not exactly Christmas, but it's about Jesus' mom, so I'm going to let it slide.

3. Bing Crosby With Ken Darby Singers And Orchestra Directed By John Scott Trotter-White Christmas from Holiday Inn-Bing's Hollywood (Decca DL 4256, Mono, 1962).  What's this?  The single most popular Christmas recording of all time?  One of the best selling singles in the history of recorded music?  Merry Christmas!

4. Gerald Eskelin And The L.A. Jazz Choir-Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! from Hal Leonard Presents A Choral Spectrum (Youth Edition) (Hal Leonard Publishing HLP-11, Stereo, 1984).  The first demo track of the share.

5. First United Methodist Church Concert Handbell Choir-James A Kruse, Director-O Holy Night from 1972 Festival Program (Mark MC-5019, Stereo, 1972).  Gotta love it, more handbells!

6. Morty Craft And The Singing Strings-Satin Doll from Percussion In Hollywood, Broadway, Television (Warwick W2022ST, Stereo).  Not so much Christmas, but it'll do as filler.

7. Unknown Artist-Silent Night from Choral Celebration Vol. VIII (Jensen Publications JP-6400, Stereo, 1985).  The second and last demo track of this group.

8. The Chad Mitchell Trio With Jim McGuinn-Super Skier from Mighty Day On Campus (Kapp KS-3262, Stereo, 1962).  Skiing is mostly done in the winter, see, so it counts.

9. Paul Reed & Paradester Chorus-That Man Over There from Meredith Willson's Here's Love (Columbia Masterworks KOS 2400, Stereo, 1963).  Another track from the soundtrack of the play based on the movie Miracle On 34th Street.

10. Linda Kent-Waltz Of The Flowers from The Many Moods Of The "Mighty Mo" (Atlanta Chapter, American Theatre Organ Society 30767, Stereo, 1977).  I don't think I've shared enough organ music with you this year.  I need to try harder.

And that's all for now.  Getting closer and closer to the end.  I can see it out there, can you?  Anyhow, here's the download link, see you later.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 72

I just can't get over the fact that I'm up to 72 shares this season.  And it's 74 if you include the two Thanksgiving shares in June.  It's just amazing to me.  I hope it's been a good season for you, too, with lots of surprises and some favorites that will show up on your Christmas playlist this coming holiday season.  Now, on to the music!

1. Jiminy Cricket-Kris Kringle from Happy Birthday And Songs For Every Holiday (Disneyland DQ-1214, Mono, 1964).  One of the nicest little Christmas songs ever, from the house of mouse.  I think this was actually a single release in 1956, but I found it on a record from 1964.  And on the label it was credited to Jimmy Cricket.  :(

2. The Roger Wagner Chorale-Hallelujah Chorus From The Messiah from Virtuoso! (Capitol (UK) SP 8431, Stereo, 1958). A well-recorded version, not like some of those home-recorded versions that just sound like mud.

3. Redlands High School Concert Choir And Chamber Singers-Wilbur H. Schowalter, Director-Let Thy Holy Presence from 1972-1973 Redlands High School Concert Choir And Chamber Singers (Custom Fidelity CFS-3256, Stereo, 1973).  Still got more music from this high school group.  They are prolific.

4. Band Of The Grenadier Guards-Conducted By Captain Rodney Bashford, L.R.A.M., A.R.C.M.-March Of The Toys from Marches From The Movies (London FFRR PS 434, Stereo, 1965).  I was hoping for a unique take on this song, but it's not that different from any of 100 other versions. But you wanted some initials, there are some initials!

5. Madison Senior Choir-Mr. David Alan Ayers, Director-Ring Those Christmas Bells from The Joy Of Christmas And Greats From America Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow (Mark Custom Records MC 2868 (on Sleeve) UMC 2868 (on Label), Stereo).  So glad I found these two albums from this high school group.  Really good stuff.

6. Harvi Griffin-Satin Doll from The Voice And Harp Of Harvi Griffin (Rite Record Productions 27039/27040, Stereo, 1970).  Voice and harp?  Oh, this oughta be good!

7. Unknown Artist-Sing To Him A Song Of Love from Choral Celebration Vol. VIII (Jensen Publications JP-6400, Stereo, 1985).  The first of the obligatory two demo tracks tonight.

8. Jim Levesque-Sleighride from 1986 Yamaha Electone Keyboard Festival Finals-The Finalists Perform (Yamaha International 2xLP No Number, Stereo, 1986). A double LP of music by the finalists and past winners of this Yamaha-sponsored keyboard competition.  As soon as I saw it I knew there had to be something Christmas-related on there.

9. John Davidson-Arranged And Conducted By Nick Perito-Snowbound from The Young Warm Sound Of John Davidson (Colpix SCP 485, Stereo, 1964).  A great song from what I believe is John Davidson's first album.

10. Unknown Artist-We Three Kings from Superior New Works For Concert Band-Vol. XVII Advanced Edition (Jenson Publications 2xLP JP-6500, Stereo, 1985).  The last of two demo tracks.

Another pile of music for you.  Lemme know what you think down in the comments.  Here's your download link.  Thanks for comin' round!

Christmas In July 2019-Part 71

Good morning!  Only three short days left for Christmas in July, so I've got to push out as much music as I can so that I don't have to worry about it next year.  Here's your first share of ten tracks for the day.

1. Majorette Records-March Of The Toy Soldiers from The Big Parade (Majorette Records M-306, Mono, 1965).  A budget record for children.  No artist listed, so I went with the label name instead of my usual Unknown Artist I've been using a lot this year.  Don't know why...

2. The Combined Choirs Of St. Mary's Visitation Church, Dickson City, Pa.-Narodził Sie Jezus Chrystus-Jesus Christ Is Born from Midnight Mass At St. Mary's (Dub Recording Company D.D. 1155/1156, Mono, 1965).  Still enjoying all this Polish Christmas music.  I hope you are too.

3. Bethany College Choir-Elmer Copley, Conductor-Ruth Copley, Accompanist-Nu Ar Dei Jul Igen from Bethany College Choir-Lindsborg, Kansas 1963-1964 (Stucky's Recording Service SRS-1864, Mono, 1964).  I've always liked this Swedish Christmas carol.  I run into it in all sorts of odd places, even though it's not too well known in the US.

4. Redlands High School Concert Choir-Director, Wilbur H. Schowalter-O Sing Unto The Lord from Redlands High School Concert Choir 1964-65 (Handel Record Mfg. H-2008 (on Sleeve) H-2009 (on Label) Blue Vinyl, Mono, 1965).  So far, everything tonight seems to be coming from a pretty tight time frame.  Not sure how that happened, I didn't do anything intentionally.

5. Dr. Charles Farley, Organist-Carol-Prelude On "Greensleeves" from Allen Digital Computer Organ, Systems 120 And 201 (Allen 29234, Side 2 Recorded At Homewood Evangelical Free Church, Moline, Illinois, On The System 201, Stereo).  Even though there's no date with this one, I'm pretty sure it's out of our mid-60's time frame.  So much for that theme.

6. Chet Baker And The Carmel Strings-Christmas Song from Quietly There (World Pacific (Liberty) WPS-21847, Stereo, 1966).  My last Chet Baker track of the season takes us back into the mid-60's.

7. Gerald Eskelin And The L.A. Jazz Choir-A Gift From The Stars Above from Hal Leonard Presents A Choral Spectrum (Youth Edition) (Hal Leonard Publishing HLP-11, Stereo, 1984).  The first demo track, well outside the time-frame.

8. Unknown Artist-Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring from Choral Celebration Vol. V (Jenson Publications JP-4000, Stereo, 1983).  Again, a demo track outside the mid-60's.

9. Phil Moody, Hony-Tonk Piano; Nick Fatool, Drums; Frank Harrison, Banjo-Oh, You Beautiful Doll from Urania Stereo Sampler (Urania USS 58, Stereo, 1958).  Too early, and not very Christmassy.

10. Brendan O'Dowda With The Westminster Sinfonia, Conducted By Merrick Farran-Panis Angelicus from Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory (Musicor MS3081, Stereo, 1965).  Right back in proper time, but not a Christmas song.  Sorry.

That's it, ten and out.  Download here.  See you later.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 70

Wow! Part 70?  Have I ever done 70 days of Christmas in July before?  I don't think so, much less 70 parts squeezed into the single month.  And here I am, still going.  I've got some time today, I'm recording what will probably end up being the last few songs of the season, so we'll soon know what the grand total will be.  It's turning out to be a great month, I hope you agree. Here are the next ten Christmas songs for you to enjoy.

1. Mouseketeer Ensemble-Holidays from Happy Birthday And Songs For Every Holiday (Disneyland DQ-1214, Mono, 1964).  Don't tell the Mouse, but here's a great track that pays tribute to all sorts of different holidays.

2. Oscar Brand-The Frozen Logger from Paul Bunyan In Story And Song (Caedmon TC 1275, Stereo, 1969).  I think I've shared out other versions of this song by Oscar Brand, but this one might be different from those.  I wish the vinyl had been in better shape, but it was a library copy and the surface was rough.

3. Bells Of Grace-Robert L. Neumann, Director-Mrs. Fred Wilson, Organist-Jingle Bells from Bells Of Grace (Lane Recording 25779/25780, Stereo, 1969). The bells just keep going, and going, and going...

4. The Lutheran Church Of The Good Shepherd-Midge Payne, Director-A Joyous Glad Noel from Shepherd Choir 1978 (Audio Engineering Associates AEA-1221, Stereo, 1978).  Those Lutherans sure have been prolific this season.

5. Laurence Naismith, Janis Paige & Fred Gwynne With Paradesters Orchestra And Chorus-Pine Cones And Holly Berries (With It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas) from Meredith Willson's Here's Love (Columbia Masterworks KOS 2400, Stereo, 1963).  A rare appearance from Herman Munster at Christmas!

6. Unknown Artist-A Renaissance Christmas from Hal Leonard Presents Choral Spectrum 1990-Senior Edition (Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation 2xLP HLP-60, Stereo, 1990).  Another publisher's demo.

7. O'Lyn Callahan-Russian Dance from O'Lyn Volume Two-O'Lyn Plays The Yamaha Electone E-70 (Yamaha Records YR 5003, Stereo).  Sort of a demo record, but not like the others.  This one just shows you all the great stuff you can do with your new Yamaha organ.

8. Unknown Artist-Steps from Choral Celebration Vol. VIII (Jensen Publications JP-6400, Stereo, 1985).  And another demo song.

9. Count Basie-The Swingin' Shepherd Blues from This Time By Basie!-Hits Of The 50's & 60's! (Reprise RS-6070, Stereo, 1963).  Just saw Count Basie the other day in Blazing Saddles.

10. Steve Lawrence With The Don Costa Orchestra-White Christmas from Steve And Eydie Sing The Golden Hits (ABC-Paramount ABCS-311, Stereo, 1960).  Bringing up the rear today is a great version of a holiday classic that showed up in the middle of this soundtrack to a TV special Steve & Eydie did.

And that's it for tonight.  Hope you're still around for the last few days.  It's been a long month, but the end is nigh!  Here's the download link, see you back here tomorrow.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 69

Just for the record, there will be no comments about this being part 69.  Just sayin'.

1. Nancy Wickwire-Picture Books In Winter from A Child's Garden Of Verses By Robert Louis Stevenson (Volume II) (Spoken Arts 905, Mono).  I'm starting out the day with a couple of spoken-word pieces.  This is probably the better of the two.

2. Joseph Langland-Rocky Mountain Snowstorm; Sacrifice Of My Dog, Rex from Today's Poets, Their Poems-Their Voices, Volume 1 (Scholastic Records FS 11001, Mono, 1967).  I probably should have chopped this track in half as you don't really care about the second half.  And it's depressing, but not so depressing as the track that came next on the vinyl.  That's just wrong...

3. The Ray Charles Singers-The Things We Did Last Summer from Lovelier Than Ever (Metro (MGM) M-562, Mono, 1965).  Budget reissue goodness.

4. The Payola$-Christmas Is Coming from Hammer On A Drum (A&M SP-6-4958, Stereo, 1983).  I thought it was an odd spot to find a Christmas song, but there it was on a sorta new-wave looking record.  I later discovered I've got it on a weird Christmas collection somewhere, so it's not totally unknown.

5. Tower Singers (Grades 6-8)-William Payn, Conductor-Hey! Hey! Anybody Listening? from O, Clap Your Hands (Dharma GFL 1057 (Morristown, New Jersey), Stereo).  Time for the junior high school kids to get in on the act.

6. Conducted By Michael Sweeney-A Rockin' Christmas from Hal Leonard Concert Band 1989-1990 (Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation 2xLP 85060087, Stereo, 1989).  Maybe I should have had a few entire days devoted to these demo tracks, rather than sharing them out a little at a time.  But then no-one would have downloaded those shares...

7. Bells Of Grace-Robert L. Neumann, Director-Mrs. Fred Wilson, Organist-Silent Night from Bells Of Grace (Lane Recording 25779/25780, Stereo, 1969).  And you thought I was all out of the handbell records!

8. Unknown Artist-This Day Of Celebration from Choral Celebration Vol. VIII (Jensen Publications JP-6400, Stereo, 1985).  The last demo track for this share, I promise.

9. Mojo Nixon-Transylvanian Xmas from Get Out Of My Way! (Promo Edition) (Restless/Enigma Promo 12" RPRO-001 (Generic sleeve, Skid Roper is not mentioned on record label anywhere), Stereo, 1986).  Something a little bit different for you.

10. Strawbs-The Winter And The Summer from Bursting At The Seams (A&M SP-4383, Stereo, 1973).  It's much harder to find rock music than it is easy listening, but it does happen once in a while.

Ten and done!  Here's the download link.  See ya!